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- Calvin Ridley has been suspended by the NFL for the entire 2022 NFL season.
- The Falcons wideout was caught gambling on NFL games last season.
- Be sure to check out more sports stories at BroBible here.
Calvin Ridley has been handed a full-season suspension by the NFL after being caught gambling on games last season. The Atlanta Falcons wideout could miss time beyond the 2022 NFL season according to a statement from the league.
According to the statement put out by the NFL, Ridley gambled on games during a five-day period in late November of 2021 while he was not with the team. Ridley stepped away from the Falcons to focus on his mental health in November. His last action during the 2021 season came against the Miami Dolphins on October 24.
“NFL commissioner Roger Goodell today suspended Calvin Ridley of the Atlanta Falcons indefinitely through at least the conclusion of the 2022 season for betting on NFL games in the 2021 season,” the statement began.
“A league investigation uncovered no evidence indicating any inside information was used or that any game was compromised in any way. Nor was there evidence suggesting any awareness by coaches, staff, teammates, or other players of his betting activity,” the statement continued.
While the league determined there was no evidence of insider information, Schefter is reporting that the Falcons were part of Ridley’s bets.
NFL determined that Calvin Ridley placed multi-legged parlay bets involving 3, 5 and 8 games that included the Falcons to win, per source. Investigation determined there was no involvement from any team players, coach etc. placed via his mobile device out of state.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 7, 2022
Calvin Ridley Admitted He Gambled On Games
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is quoted in the NFL’s statement and made it clear that Ridley admitted to gambling on games.
“For decades, gambling on NFL games has been considered among the most significant violations of league policy warranting the most substantial sanction,” Goodell stated. “In your case, I acknowledge and commend you for promptly reporting for an interview, and admitting your actions.”
Shortly after the NFL’s statement was released, the Falcons put out a statement of their own stating they were made aware of the league’s investigation on February 9. The Falcons are “moving forward in the 2022 season with the decision that was made.”
According to Adam Schefter, the Falcons were receiving calls from teams inquiring about possibly trading for Ridley, but Atlanta declined to enter trade talks out of good faith.
Multiple NFL teams reached out to the Falcons in recent weeks to inquire about trading for Calvin Ridley, and each time, Atlanta declined to enter into any talks out of good faith, knowing the issues in store for their standout wide receiver, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 7, 2022
The NFL world had quite the reaction to the news:
https://twitter.com/allaboutkayla_/status/1500933529869459456?s=20&t=AmgPsVmx0C6CQp4oCKRGlQ
Calvin Ridley: “I’m going to make money off gambling just like the NFL.”
The NFL: pic.twitter.com/e0f1L89hBn
— McNeil (@Reflog_18) March 7, 2022
He’s one of us https://t.co/cQ7387pCXa
— John Middlekauff (@JohnMiddlekauff) March 7, 2022
Even a guy making $11 million a year needs action. https://t.co/KYV95Hlzqs
— Jimmy Traina (@JimmyTraina) March 7, 2022
This tweet hits different now lol https://t.co/JO9oA4DjaY pic.twitter.com/oKTNpiE0OA
— reezy🛸 (@itzreezy27) March 7, 2022
My mental health goes down when I lose my bets too Calvin #ridley #nfl #freeagency https://t.co/ShE7RFCkWD
— 302BIRDS PODCAST (@302Birds) March 7, 2022
Suspended for being a normal american. Imagine https://t.co/uLzcirt5cV
— PROBLEM (@ProblemWright) March 7, 2022